Optical instrument



May 15; 1923. 1,455,011

J. T. THOMPSON OPTI GAL INSTRUMENT Filed July 19 1920 3 ShebS-Sheet 1 4f 3427 /5/ if 42 '1 NW L! lll" 9 Il l l /o/,. /4 /2 ll HH 2 j mi |'1 "1| Il y Int/enfer H Il [Il n VMM May 15, 1923." 1 1,455,011

J. T. THOMPSON OPTICAL INS TRUMENT Filed July 19. 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zij?. 5.

May 15, 1923. 1,455,011

J. T. THOMPSON OPTICAL INSTRUMENT Filed July 19, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 15, 1923.

UNITED STATES lJ'OHN T. THOMPSON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

OPTICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application vled July 19, 1920, Serial N0. 397,277.

To all 'whom z't may concern Be it known that I, JOHN T. THOMPSON, a subject of the King of Great Britain, res1ding in the cit and county of San Franclsco and State of alifornia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Optical Instruments, of which the following is a spec1cation.

My invention relates to improvements 1n optical instruments wherein lens cells are adjustably mounted relatively to a chart or object to measure the degree of convergence of the lines of vision of both eyes and wherein said cells are provided with means for 1ndependentl rotating said cells, or for rotating saidy cells in either oppos1te or the same directions.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved optical lnstrui ment of simple and economical constructlon andhaving few and simple parts ofjmaxlmum efficiency. I

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved device ofthe character described thatshall be adapted to be easily and readily adjustable to a pupillary distance. c

A still further object of the inventlon 1s to provide improved means for .the correct1on of minor degrees of pathologlcal defects of the innerand outer muscles of the eye.

Other objects and advantages w1ll more fully appear. y

I accomplish these several objects by means of the improved device disclosed in the drawings forming a part of the present specification wherein like characters of reference are used to desi ate similar parts throughout the said specifications and drawings, and in Which- Fig. 1 is a broken side elevation of my 1mproved device, partly in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a broken plan view of F1g. 1;

Fig. 3 is a left hand elevation of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4- 4 of Fig. 1; in the direction indicated; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, broken horizontal .sectional view taken through the movable lens cells.

Referring to the drawingsthe numeral 1 is used to designate a standard having a lat erallig 2 and a clamping member 3 whereby a similar gear 12 on a shaft 14 provided with' a rotating means 16 whereb the tubular member 6 may be raised orV owered when said shaft 14 is rotated.

The upper end of the tubular member 6 1s providedwith hinged joints 16 and 17 arranged at rlght angles to each other whereby a universal connection is obtained to support a hollow graduated tube 1,8, preferably,

but not necessarily, square or rectangular in cross section.

Slidably mounted upon the tube 18 is a sleeve 19 supporting a suitable housing 21 havin a window 22 inone side thereof and an en less chart 23 therein controlled by a knob 24. i The chart 23 has imprinted or otherwise lmpressed thereon suitable characters and designs, not shown, by means of which the.

vision of patients requiring optical treatment is tested.

Within the end of the tube 18 opposite the housin 21 I have Provided a rigid plug 26 groove transversely as at 27 within which groove 27 are slidably mounted a pair of arms 28 carrying at their upper or free ends suitable apertured shields 29 having lens cells 31, each provided with a geared sector 32, rotatably mounted thereon. f

Each lens cell 31 is provided with a suitable knob or handle, 33.

Secured to the plug 26 is a member 34 having a depending portion 36 upon which is slidably mounted a chin rest 37 provided with a suitable thumb nut 38 to prevent movement of said chin rest 37 upon the depending portion 36 of the member 34.

The member 34 is also provided with a pair of lugs 41 within which is rotatably mounted a rod 42 having oppositely threaded ends passing through the arms 28 and provided with a thumb nut 43 by means of which the rod 42 may be rotated to move the The member 34 is also provided. with anv upwardly extending offset extension 44 `having a verticallydisposed slot 46 therein within which is slidably mounted a thumb nut' 47 carrying a bar 48 having a pinion 49 rotatably mounted upon each end thereof, said piliions being constantlyin mesh with each ot er.

By means of the thumb nut 47 the bar 48 and pinions 49 are rotatably and slidably mounted within the slot 46 of the extension 44 so that either one or both'of said pinions 49 may mesh with the geared sectors 32 of the lens cells 31.

Tn operation the chin of' the patient is placed upon the chin rest 37, said chin raised or lowered to the correct position by rotation of the shaft 14. Y l

Through the medium of the joints 16 and 17 the longitudinal and lateral position of the tube 18 is leveled and also adjusted to accommodate the device to the position of the patient.' t

The sleeve 19 and housing 21 thereon are moved or adjusted to the correct positionfor testing the vision of the atient and the position indicated by the gra u tube 18.

tion.

The knob 24 is rotated to bring the reuired characters on the chart 23 opposlte t e window 21, it being understood that said characters are .of various shapes and designs, which shapes and designs form an important factor 1n arriving at a correct diagnosis of the case, but this feature being well known in the art does not require detailed description in the present specifica- B adjustment of the housing 21 relative y to the lens cells 31, lin conjunction withthe character of the designs displayed on the chart 23, factors are indicated by means of the graduations on the tube 18 to determine the de ree of convergence of the linesof vision cfg the patient.

` As in the present art suitable refracting lenses are placed within the lens cells 31' and the nature of these lenses as well at their position also provide factors which, taken in conjunction with other factors, also assists in determining the degree of convergence or divergence of the vision` of the patent.

While testing Iboth eyes simultaneously the lens vcells 31, containing appropriate lenses of the required character, may be rotated independently or together in the same or opposite directions by means of the attachment consisting of the pinions 49 and their supporting bar 48.

nations on the u intacta When the lens cells 31 are. to be rotated .l independently of each 'other the thumb'nut 47 is loosened and'raised to the upper end of the slot 46 `and tightened in that position which will prevent en agement of the pinions 49 with the geared ens .cells `31.

When the cells 31 are to' be rotated in the same direction and degree `simultaneously the thumb nut 47 is loosened and the bar 48 is positionedl to permit engagement of either pinion 49 with both geared sectors 32 of the cells 31 as disclosed'v in full lines in Fig 4 vof the drawings. Rotation of either cell 31,

by means of its respective lever or knob 33, will cause the other cell 31 to be rotated in the same direction by means of the idler gear or pinion 49 in mesh with both sectors 32.

When the cells 31 are to be rotated in opposite directions the bar 48 is placed horizontally so as to bring both pinions 49 in mesh with both eared sectors 32 of the cells 31. Then wen one cellis rotated in one direction the other cell will be rotated in the op osite direction, the second pinion 49 operatmg to change the direction of rotation.

Whetherloperating the cells in the same or opposite dlrecti'ons the pinions 49 may at all times be laced in proper mesh regardless ofthe dlstance between 'the geared sectors 32 of the cells 31 this novel feature being provided by the slot 46 of the extention 44sad pinions being readily lowered or elevated to properly engagethe sectors 32 through the medium of said slot.

T-he pinions 49 are employed to rotate the 31 when the patient is beingtreated for minor degrees of pathological defects.

By rotating prismatic or refracting lenses Within the lens cells 31 the ob'ective view by the patient is placed out of ocus and he operates, automatically and unconsciously all of the inner and outer muscles of the eye, to return the objective into focus whether the refraction be abnormal or subnormal.

This provides an excellent exercise for said muscles` and usually corrects minor defects.

The entire instrument .is` simple and effective in operation as well, as economical in operation. The various parts are readily accessible for operation and possessed of a maximum eiiiciency.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1 1. A11 optical instrument comprising a pair of lens cells; means for adjustably su porting said cells; and means engaging sald cells whereby the same may be rotated simultane'ously either in the same or opposite directions. c

2. An optical instrument comprising a pair of lens cells laterally adjustable relasectors 32 of the tively to each other; adjustable supporting means arranged to recelve said cells; and means engaging said cells whereby the same may be rotated simultaneously either in the same or opposite directions.

3. An optical instrument comprising a pair of lens cells; adjustable supporting means arranged to receive said cells; means engaging said cells whereby the same may be rotated simultaneously either in the same or opposite directions and means for adjusting the pupillary distance between the lens cells. f 1

4.-An optical instrument comprising a pair of lens cells; means for adjustin the pupillary distance between the cells; a justable supporting means arranged to receive,

said cells; adjustable means for engaging and supporting the chin of a patient to register his eyes with the lens cells; and means for rotating the cells simultaneously in either the same or opposite directions.

5. An optical instrument comprising a pair of lens cells having geared sectors thereon; means for adjusting the pupillary distance of the cells; adjustable supporting means arranged to receive said cells; and a pair of pinions in mesh and slidably mounted to en age either or both pinions with the geare sectors of the cells whereby said cells may be rotated in the same or opposite directions respectively,

In witness whereof I hereunto set my signature.

JOHN T. THOMPSON. 

